Precedent-Setting Funded Remedial Investigation Begins at FUDS Site

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., June 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Department of Justice, in a precedent-setting move, agreed to pay 90 percent of the cost of a remedial investigation and feasibility study to develop a clean-up method for dealing with the trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination at a Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS). This investigation and feasibility study are estimated to cost $9.4 million, with the federal government paying 90 percent and current property owners paying the balance.

The project in Salina, Kansas involves The City of Salina along with three other parties collectively known as "the Public Entities."  The Public Entities contracted with Dragun Corporation, an environmental advisory firm in Michigan, to complete the investigation and feasibility study to prepare a clean-up method for dealing with the TCE contamination.

The current effort is a result of the Dragun Corporation conducting a peer review several years ago of more than a decade of reports on the TCE contamination on the former Schilling Air Force Base. Martha Tasker, Director of Utilities, City of Salina, said, "Dragun Corporation helped the Salina Public Entities understand the complexity of the groundwater contamination and identified numerous flaws with the prior technical work performed by other parties on behalf of the federal government."

This current phase of the long-anticipated field work began in earnest in May 2014.  The sampling is being done so Dragun Corporation can complete its own investigation of the extent of TCE contamination in the ground under and adjacent to the former Air Force base.  In November 2013, Dragun and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment held a public meeting to explain the work it would be doing this year.

As reported on KSNW TV, field work is now underway, including collection of indoor air samples. City Manager, Jason Gage points out previous site investigations had substantially miscalculated the groundwater flow rate and time it would take for the contamination to reach the city's water supply. http://www.dragun.com/2014/05/29/press-release/

Jeff Bolin, Dragun's senior vice president of technical operations, who has been involved with the project since 2005, praised the resolve of the Salina Public Entities to take control of the remedial investigation. Jeff said that "Relying on the government to clean up the mess would take much longer."  Jeff went on to say that "We're proud to be providing the necessary technical advice on this very important project."

About Dragun Corporation

For over 25 years Dragun Corporation has provided world-class environmental consulting expertise and an innovative approach to site assessment and environmental remediation.  Dragun Corporation has built a solid reputation with clients across North America and around the globe. Businesses and municipalities, large and small, count on Dragun Corporation (www.dragun.com) to help them stay environmentally compliant, save money, and avoid unnecessary remediation and litigation.

For more information, contact Jeff Bolin, Senior Vice President at, 248-932-0228 or [email protected]

PRLog ID: www.prlog.org/12335967

SOURCE Dragun Corporation